MARLBOROUGH – A request from Mayor J. Christian Dumais to add a communications and special projects director to his staff has been turned down by the City Council’s Finance Committee.
During its meeting on Monday, March 4, committee members voted against the measure, 3-2; councilors Mark Oram and Teona Brown voted in favor, while committee Chair John Irish and councilors Mark Vital and A. Trey Fuccillo voted against.
Members of the committee raised several concerns about the proposed position, including salary and whether the position is needed at this time.
“It’s overpaid, there’s no council approval … I am not in favor of this,” said council President Michael Ossing.
He added the proposed position would have a higher salary than a firefighter or a police officer.
In a previous meeting, Ossing said the city has higher priorities when it comes to hiring; the city has yet to find a permanent Department of Public Works commissioner and a comptroller.
After initial discussions with council members on Wednesday, Feb. 21, Dumais returned with several changes, including a salary step program.
He also provided several letters of support from department heads.
“Let this position prove itself,” said Dumais.
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Dumais re-emphasized the need for the position, which would oversee the upgrade and regular maintenance of the website and social media, along with publishing the monthly newsletter, training departments in the use of social media, and speaking Portuguese at outreach events.
He added the new position would help reduce the amount of misinformation currently on social media.
“It’s so important to get that news out when it’s critical,” said Oram, who made the motion to approve the position.
Vital asked why the position was not submitted to the fiscal 2025 budget like any other item, and when the position could be filled.
Dumais replied that he just signed the contract to upgrade the website, and would like to begin the hiring process once the position is approved.
While he said he’s already seen an “improvement in communication,” Councilor Sean Navin is concerned about the upcoming budget.
“There’s a lot of things going up [in cost],” he said.
He cited a possible rise in water rates, and several contracts coming up for negotiations.
Councilor Kathleen Robey asked whether the position could be placed on hold until the budget comes out.
The proposed position would have been full time, with benefits. The salary was originally at $79,000, but was reduced by Dumais by several thousand dollars.
Ossing wants the City Council to have an active role in the hiring process should this position be approved.
“I don’t want this to be a PR tool for the mayor’s office … it should be for the entire city,” he said.
With the negative vote, the request will remain with the Finance Committee.
